OCTOBER 2025 SUNDAY MORNING GENERAL CONFERENCE SESSION THOUGHTS
This Day is a Good Day, Lord (Hymn 1051). What a great hymn to start off the Sunday morning session of General Conference!
Always love seeing Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. That man’s life has been preserved and I’m grateful for the personal testimony that I have of him as a Special Witness of Jesus Christ.
The story of the blind man in John 9 is such a cool, instructive story. Spit and dirt can work miracles! God can bless us by whatever method He chooses! The question is do we have faith for the Lord to spit in the dirt, make ‘clay’, rub it on our eyes, and then ask us to wash it out in a pool? He’s pretty amazing at what He does! I always love Elder Holland’s defenses and passionate love of The Book of Mormon.
Me hearing the words to Amazing Grace, as if I was hearing them for the first time! 🤯😭
You know how I know it's going to be a good talk? When Elder Holland is giving it. “He was of age, well so am I!” The man’s got ridiculous spiritual and experiential cred! There aren’t words to describe how deeply his ministry has blessed my life.
God bless Elder James E. Evanson! Can you imagine being the speaker who follows Elder Holland? And yet he did so well! “Service opens hearts to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” I have a special place in my heart for “service missionaries”. They are in my institute class every week and these folks bless my life! You don't need to wear a name tag to provide service…but I’m so grateful to those youth who dedicate their lives to that type of specialized service.
Service missionaries are NOT second class missionaries. Ever.
And two blind healing stories back-to-back! Hmmm…
Temperance has been an fascinating virtue to study on. In my office, I have the scripture reference “temperate in all things” (D&C 12:8) prominently displayed. Temperance harmonizes and strengthens other Christlike attributes. It’s vital to our foundation on the Savior. Temperance is a reflection of the Savior Himself. So glad that Elder Ulisses Soares focused on this most beautiful Christlike attribute.
“Disciples of Christ who strive to cultivate temperance become increasingly humble and full of love. A serene strength arises in them. True spiritual strength is not expressed in impulsive reactions but in temperate, thoughtful attitudes aligned with the Lord's wisdom."
In fact, even Elder Soares’ suit and tie combo is on point. Classy, stylish, yet temperate.
Elder Peter M. Johnson always speaks with such a calm, soothing and beckoning voice and demeanor. You are wonderful You are beautiful. You are each a child of God.” Ministering to “the one” is such a powerful principle that I have a very strong testimony of. Love the vulnerability and power of his testimony through his doubts. “As I read, I remembered”
Such a beautiful, important, and timely reminder.
“I love this book!” references to The Book of Mormon this session: 2
I’m always so impressed by the testimony of those who have experienced tragedy and bear solemn witness that Christ is real and that he heals us - as Elder D. Todd Christofferson shared from the tragic accident in Lesotho. During difficulties and trials, don't look away from God, but look to Him and live. When we don’t look to God, we tend to look into other things to satisfy our needs. And his smooth transition into a very direct sharing of the law of chastity and purity - “immorality is the quickest way to lose your testimony.” The law of chastity isn’t restriction, it’s protection.
Public opinion is not the arbiter of truth. Um, yep!
Pretty sure this is the first time we’d heard the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman from the Conference pulpit. Great story found in 2 Kings 4 and 8. Sister Andrea Munoz Spannaus made sure that happened this morning. “We can receive a personal testimony of God's prophets today and open our hearts and houses to them. Do I have a personal testimony of God's living prophets today?” Yep! If I haven’t made that clear by now - you either don’t know me, or I haven’t been doing enough to share about that.
“Thou Gracious God, Whose Mercy Lends” (and leads…😀) - Hymn 1042. Very cool words and music!
92-year old “Elder” Henry B. Eyring - to us, he’s been “President Eyring” for so many years because of his faithful service in the First Presidency for close to 20+ years. How can you not love this man? Focusing on math and physics? Yeah, I’d be praying hard too! The word, “PROVE” means to increase something’s strength. God is proving me, but He is also with me. May these for words echo in my mind and spirit forever. I love hearing the examples of how the Lord “proved” Moroni, Jacob, Joseph Smith, and Jesus Himself during their lonely times with the accompanying promises of what proving provides.
“I bear witness that these moments are not evidence that the Lord has abandoned you. Rather, they are evidence that He loves you enough to refine and strengthen you. He is making you strong enough to carry the weight of eternal life.”
SO, SO blessed to hear these powerful testimonies that make me want to be better.
Catch you soon with the concluding session!